Firebirds bludgeon Blue Jays

Berkley's at trick leads FSHS

The outcome never was in doubt.

The only question was whether Free State High’s girls soccer team benefited from pounding Junction City, 11-1, Monday at FSHS Field. The Blue Jays were outclassed from the start, which made the game enjoyable for FSHS, but that came with a caveat.

“It is fun, but sometimes I think it makes us think we’re better than we really are,” FSHS junior Rebekah Berkley said. “We have to make sure we are more focused when we play a better opponent.”

It took the Firebirds (4-4) less than four minutes to score when freshman Emily Erb converted on a pass from Berkley. Five minutes later, senior Meredith Mayo juked two defenders and rifled a shot past the Jays’ goalie. Berkley scored one minute later on a mishandled clear from the Jays’ defense.

Three goals in the first 10 minutes sounds good, but the Firebirds had four times that many good scoring chances and didn’t convert.

“Typically, Monday games we’re flat,” FSHS coach Jason Pendleton said. “I don’t know if it’s too much sleep the day before or what. But I thought that we played with more intensity at the end of the first half.”

That would be an understatement.

Berkley scored two more goals in the 25th and 27th minute — both unassisted breakaways — and Mayo added another goal in the 31st minute, also unassisted.

Thirty seconds later, senior Celese Siebert scored the Firebirds’ seventh goal of the first half on a nice give-and-go from junior Wallis Romzek. Siebert found Romzek along the left sideline, then got the pass back inside the penalty box and punched it past the keeper.

By then, it seemed the Firebirds could have had 10 to 15 goals, but the Jays’ goalie was on top of her game.

Free State's Jesse Sears (16) battles for control of the ball with Junction City's Heidi Paulson. The Firebirds won, 11-1, Monday at Free State.

“We were striking the ball well,” Pendleton said. “We hit some solid shots, but they’re keeper made some nice saves that a keeper on a better team probably wouldn’t have made.”

To start the second half, Pendleton sat most of his starters, which allowed many of his younger players extensive playing time — probably Monday’s biggest benefit.

“It allows us to get more people in that normally wouldn’t get a chance to play,” Pendleton said. “It’s an opportunity to gain more confidence.”

FSHS scored four more times in the second half, on goals from junior Nicole Lafond, assisted by senior Alicia Sellon; senior Ellen Beard, on a flick from Lafond; junior Emilie Humbarger converted a penalty kick; and Sellon added the final goal with seven minutes left after the Junction City goalie bobbled a cross.

The Firebirds play host to Shawnee Mission North at 4 this afternoon at FSHS Field. It’s the second of five games FSHS plays in seven days, including four this week.

“We need to win three of the next four games this week to put ourselves in a position to do anything in the postseason,” Pendleton said.

Free State 11, Junction City 1

JC 0 1 — 1

Free State's Emily Erb (5) and Junction City's Rachael Borjas (9) jump for a header. The Firebirds defeated the Blue Jays, 11-1, Monday at Free State.

FSHS 7 4 — 11

First half

FSHS: Emily Erb (Rebekah Berkley), 36:26.

FSHS: Meredith Mayo (unassisted), 31:22.

FSHS: Berkley (unassisted), 30:16.

FSHS: Berkley (unassisted), 14:05.

FSHS: Berkley (unassisted), 12:49.

FSHS: Mayo (unassisted), 9:19.

FSHS: Celese Siebert (Wallis Romzek), 8:41.

Second half

FSHS: Nicole Lafond (Alicia Sellon), 33:13.

JC: Chelsie Black (Beth Pearson), 21:27.